DSL Router with USB (to connect storage) capability

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › DSL Router with USB (to connect storage) capability

r33ks

75 posts

Master Geek

#34802 29-May-2009 14:19

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation for an ADSL modem that allows you to connect a USB device to provide (basic) NAS storage.

I know that Several D-Link products have a system they call SharePort on some devices, but after looking at it I would prefer to connect to the storage using a standards based protocol, rather than being tied to only being able to connect with an application you need to install on your PC. What am looking to be able to do in the future is to connect to the storage with a media player

I have tried to find out some information about the Linksys WAG310G device, but that is proving really difficult. Has anyone had any experience with this device?

Has anyone had an experience with a ADSL router from another vendor that they would recommend?

Carl

Ragnor

8064 posts

Uber Geek

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#219328 29-May-2009 14:55

Belkin N+ Wireless ADSL2+ Modem-Router (With USB Storage Port)

http://www.belkin.com/au/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=474683

However I read somewhere that...

A USB port on the rear of the Belkin N+ Wireless Storage Router can be used to plug in an external hard drive, which can then be shared across your network. For it to work properly, you need to install the supplied Belkin Storage Manager software on each computer that you want to be able to access the hard drive. The attached hard drive will then show up as a network drive in My Computer. There is no way to implement security for the drive, such as read and write permissions for specific users. There is also no way to partition or format the drive through the Belkin Storage Manager, nor the router itself. In fact, the router’s Web interface does not have any options pertaining to attached USB storage devices.

Sounds lame!

Honestly I'd spend the extra $ and get a decent NAS box and hook it up via ethernet, something like the Dlink DNS-323.

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r33ks

75 posts

Master Geek

#219333 29-May-2009 15:07

Thanks for that. Sounds like you don't use one.

The storage manager option sounds similar to what D-Link is doing. I am not keen on that approach... I agree it sounds a bit lame.

I am with you that a NAS box would be the best option, but I am on a tight budget, so was hoping there was something more cheap and cheerful.

cyril7

8756 posts

Uber Geek

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Subscriber

#220291 1-Jun-2009 09:49

Hi, I grabbed an old PC that was ready for the tip and loaded NASLite+ onto it, works a treat, might suit your budget.

http://www.serverelements.com

Cyril

Ragnor

8064 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#220584 1-Jun-2009 21:13

+1 for using some kind of NAS, there are lots of options.

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek

#221769 4-Jun-2009 19:45

The most popular routers for this seem to be the Asus range. The WL-520gU has one USB port and the WL-500g Premium and WL-500gPv2 have 2 USB ports each. Both of these can also run most third party firmwares, which have all sorts of functionality

Personally, I've bought a very cheap ($15 + $4 shipping) WL-520gC from trademe, which doesn't have a USB port stock but has the headers for one. I'm going to try the hack outlined here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=44448 . If it works I should have a USB capable router for under $30.

on2it

94 posts

Master Geek

#221779 4-Jun-2009 20:36

Apple's Airport Extreme does a nice job of this - full price is $379 but I see they have refurbed units for $239 with one year warranty

r33ks

75 posts

Master Geek

#223073 9-Jun-2009 12:06

Thanks everyone. Didn't have an old PC, and I was not happy that the router option was robust enough, so we ended up getting a Linksys NAS unit.